Covid 19 & Vaccinations
I regret to say that an additional 761 cases of Covid 19 have been registered in Sutton Coldfield for the week of 10th- 16th July compared to an updated figure of 536 for the week of 3rd- 9th July based on data from Birmingham City Council’s public health division.
The 7-day case rate between 10th- 16th July in Birmingham was 520.1 cases/100K population, compared to 408.0/100K for the period between the 3rd July to 9th July.
Over the 7 days leading up to 16th July, of 21,347 PCR pillar 2 tests, 4,453 (20.9%) were positive in Birmingham, a higher positivity rate than both the West Midlands and England.
Birmingham ranks 13th in the region for pillar 2 PCR tests, with 1,870 tests per 100k population. 65,238 LFD pillar 2 tests were also carried out.
Hospital admissions range between 25 and 61 new cases a day at Birmingham hospital trusts over the 7 days from 10th- 16th July, with a total of 273 cases.
Birmingham City Council is no longer an enhanced response area as our case rates are now in line with regional trends. The focus will continue locally on vaccine uptake, particularly in underserved communities. This will include ongoing Work with the NHS and faith communities to deliver messaging and increasing accessibility for vaccines through walk in clinics, pop up clinics, greater use of primary care and mobile facilities.
15 new studies across the UK will expand research into long Covid to support thousands of vulnerable people, backed by nearly £20 million of funding. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-research-into-treatment-and-diagnosis-of-long-covid
The attached image shows the number of vaccines per age group for Sutton Coldfield from data published yesterday.
PLEASE NOTE: Walk-in appointments are taking place at a mass vaccination centres across the Birmingham City Council area. Please check the latest availability via: www.birminghamandsolihullcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/walk-in you can also continue to book in advance online as normal: www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination
Royal Sutton Coldfield updates
This morning I visited our local Fire Station on Lichfield Road to discuss fire safety in this hot weather in the Royal Town, a video message from my visit will go up shortly. I also went to the British Heart Foundation based in the centre of Sutton with one of its most successful shops across Britain. They celebrate their 60th anniversary next Wednesday upon which I congratulated all the volunteers who make Sutton Coldfield such a success on this issue. This afternoon I visited the new Cook shop in Mere Green on Lichfield Road, a fabulous new local facility which is also contributing to local and indeed international charities as well as providing excellent home cooked food locally.
Later on today I had a valuable chat with Dearbhla Craddock, Corporate Partnership Officer at Birmingham Children’s hospital, which was a chance to not only discuss their new strategic plans for the hospital but also the work they are doing to help support mental health among young people. I also had various phone calls with constituents and a face to face advice session in my office on the High Street.
Great news for Hill West Primary School, whose pupils are set to benefit from Government funds for their school rebuilding programme. I visited the school last week just ahead of this wonderful announcement. Hill West is as one of fifty schools that have been awarded funding from the Government’s ten-year school rebuilding programme. https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/birmingham/sutton-coldfield/2021/07/19/sutton-coldfield-school-to-be-transformed-after-funding-boost/
Wyndley Leisure Centre has applied to be an official training venue for Birmingham 2022 and the outcome is expected in the coming weeks. The proposed improvements for Wyndley have also been developed in line with a commitment to improving sporting facilities and increasing participation across all age groups. Earlier this year Birmingham City Council commenced a procurement exercise to identify a contractor to carry out the necessary works. The procurement exercise is nearing completion and a preferred contractor should be identified within the next week. Construction is anticipated to start in the early autumn for around 3-4 months.
I would like to thank the team at the new Hope Food project at Ark Community Church following their official launch this week. Hope Foods will continue the work that Hope for Sutton undertook in the community during the height of the Covid 19 pandemic. In the future the team hope to expand to offer coffee mornings and ‘cook alongs’ for those that have used their services. Anyone that would like to support their work can donate long life food at the Hope Food Base, Upper Room, Wilmcote Drive, B75 5ED. Thank you to Debbie and the team for taking the time to meet me last week.
The Secretary of State for Health has moved “West Birmingham” from the Black Country and West Birmingham Integrated Care System (ICS) into the Birmingham and Solihull ICS. This will ensure the entire Birmingham City Council area is aligned within the Birmingham and Solihull ICS and will support greater opportunities for the area to strengthen partnership working between the NHS, local government, public health and social care.
Thanks to National Lottery players, since January, The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded £355,392 to community projects in Sutton Coldfield, including £298,14 to Acacia Family Support. The funding will allow the group to continue running its most essential and vital services with the aim of having a long-term positive impact on the mental health and emotional wellbeing of families who have been affected by pre and postnatal depression and anxiety.
Bus operators and Transport for West Midlands have agreed to reduce the n-bus multi-operator fares across the board – ranging from a 60p saving on a day ticket to £140 on the 52-week fare. The nbus day fare is now £4.20 which is the same price as it was in 2012. Those working flexibly can benefit from multi-day offers – including £38 for ten days.
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, has hosted a virtual event with some of our region’s biggest employers and local charities to call on thriving businesses to give something back to communities in the region. This could be through financial donations to charities and community groups, or practical help by offering time and expertise. Giving Month, which starts on 21 September, will also celebrate the work that local businesses are already doing to help communities. https://www.wmca.org.uk/who-we-are/meet-the-mayor/giving-month/
The Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group which includes researchers at the University of Birmingham, has secured £18.27 million in government funding. The funds will be used to create a world-leading industrial and academic research and development programme, creating a cluster of new businesses in the Midlands and strengthening the supply chain across our region. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2021/07/18.27-million-investment-puts-midlands-firmly-on-the-map-for-advanced-ceramics.aspx
With the onset of the school holidays, more people at home and the high temperatures we’re experiencing, demand for water has increased sharply this week. Water is being used faster than water companies can comfortably treat and pump it to everyone’s homes. Severn Trent are asking people to consider taking some small steps to reduce water consumption over the next few weeks: https://www.stwater.co.uk/wonderful-on-tap/save-water/you-can-make-a-difference/
After eight years as Chair of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Jacqui Smith will be stepping down from the role at the end of September.
Westminster news and Parliamentary business
This week I has meetings with Marie Staunton, Chair of the UK Collaborative on Development Research, and Professor Richard Black who is Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Social Sciences at Birmingham University which is well advanced in its plans for students arriving at the University for the next academic year. I spoke at a United Nations Association event. I also chaired another meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Trafficked Britons Syria.
On Wednesday I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on concerns about the privatisation of Channel 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXXDtIKD54c
Ministers have announced an arsenal of planned reforms to boost competition and shield the public from rip offs –by requiring prepayment schemes to safeguard customers’ money, tackling subscription traps by making it easier to cancel; and making fake business reviews illegal. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministers-seek-to-stamp-out-rip-offs-with-new-consumer-protections
This week proposals have also been set out for a new pro-competition regime for digital markets that will support the UK’s growing tech sector and protect consumers. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-unveils-proposals-to-increase-competition-in-uk-digital-economy
The Government has published a new Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) interim Chief Executive Laura Shoaf and Transport for West Midlands interim Managing Director Anne Shaw have been announced as the UK’s first Violence Against Women and Girls Transport Champions. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1005074/Tackling_Violence_Against_Women_and_Girls_Strategy_-_July_2021.pdf
Opportunities and Events
Last year Barclays launched its £100m Covid-19 Community Aid Package to support vulnerable people and communities impacted by the pandemic. Barclays will be making a further 50 donations of £100,000 each, to UK charities who continue to meet the immediate needs of our communities affected by the pandemic. Charities can apply online until 6pm on Friday 6 August, 2021, with funding being made available in the Autumn. https://home.barclays/society/investing-in-our-communities/barclays-covid-19-community-aid-package/barclays-100x100-uk-covid-19-community-relief-programme/
Create Central – the West Midlands trade body set up to turbo-charge the region’s film, TV and games industries – is working with the WMCA to help the region’s screen industry discover new talent, or to encourage people from other careers to switch to the TV industry. Applications are now open for the next TV Production Bootcamp, due to start next month, for local people who would like to start a new career as a TV researcher, production co-ordinator or runner. https://www.solihull.ac.uk/create-central-bootcamps/
A reminder that the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games West Midlands Ticket Ballot will end on 30 July. http://birmingham2022.com/the-games/tickets . Good news this week as organisers have announced up to 5,000 free tickets for children in care and their carers to watch the events. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-57922277
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